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BeIN, contacted by AFP, did not respond to questions on the subscription costs or the number of subscribers it has in Egypt.

At a beIN store in Cairo, owner Mahmud Mostafa acknowledged the complaints but said the price was little changed from that for the 2014 World Cup.

“The difference is the value of the pound versus the dollar, which has led to higher prices,” he said, referring to the currency’s decline.

The government, facing economic turmoil after Egypt’s 2011 uprising, has adopted austerity measures in the face of both runaway inflation and security threats.

In November 2016, the IMF granted Egypt a $12-billion loan over three years.

The loan was linked to measures including the adoption of value-added tax, energy subsidy cuts and floating the pound, which saw it lose half its value.

– Special deal for youth clubs –

Egyptian authorities have tried but failed to secure broadcast rights for The Pharaohs’ matches on state television.

An Egyptian court has ordered beIN to pay two fines of 18 million euros each for “violating the law” on competition.

But the youth and sports ministry said it would make screens available to broadcast the games in more than 5,000 affiliated youth centres and clubs.

Also, the ministry’s Mohamed el-Kourdy told AFP it has reached an agreement with the company representing beIN in Egypt to offer them discounts.

Qatar’s beIN Media Group has also been under the spotlight in other Arab countries which like Egypt broke ties with Doha last June.

The broadcaster said Tuesday it has not yet reached agreement with Saudi Arabia, likewise a qualifier for the finals in Russia, although the UAE has struck a deal to restore beIN broadcasts in the country.